Grave charges: ATC issues bailable warrants for Qadri, 11 supporters

Non-bailable warrants issued for 84 other PAT workers .

RAWALPINDI:

The Anti Terrorism Court issued arrest warrants for Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri and 95 of his followers on charges of attacking and kidnapping policemen.

Special ATC Judge Chaudhry Abdul Qayyum issued bailable arrest warrants for Dr Tahirul Qadri and 11 PAT workers in response to an FIR registered by Lilla Police Station in Jhelum.

According to details, PAT workers had gathered at the Lilla Interchange and staged a protest demonstration on Qadri’s call. The workers allegedly attacked and injured police officials, after which they were arrested and charged under the Anti Terrorism Act.

The court adjourned till October 12 and directed the police to produce the arrested men in court.

In a separate case, the same court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 84 other PAT workers in response to an FIR registered by the Airport Police Station in Rawalpindi. The court adjourned the matter till September 26.

Earlier on June 23, 2014, thousands of PAT workers gathered at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) to welcome Qadri when he returned to Pakistan from Canada.

Clashes erupted between PAT and the police after the authorities did not allow Dr Qadri’s plane to land in the federal capital and diverted it to Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2014.